Nifeviroc: Chinese anti-HIV drug

Nifeviroc, an anti-HIV drug developed by Chinese experts, has just been licensed to put into clinical trials in the country. After a pre-clinical trial brought good results, Chinese experts are preparing to put Nifeviroc into clinical trials. This is an oral drug that prevents HIV from entering cells.

Nifeviroc is manufactured by Targetdrug Pharmaceutical Company in Shanghai (Shanghai Targetdrug Pharmaceutical Company) - the unit being praised is the one that paves the way for the development of a new and low-cost drug to treat HIV-infected patients. .

Chinese experts hope that Nifeviroc will become an effective tool in HIV / AIDS prevention.(Photo: AFP)

Supported by the Chinese government as well as the Shanghai city government, the Targetdrug has completed a preclinical study of the new drug and has been approved by the National Food and Drug Administration of China. Clinical trials.

According to Targetdrug, 'Nifeviroc is a molecular compound that inhibits the protein CCR5, a protein that exists at the surface of human immune cells. This protein acts as an intermediary for HIV virus to enter the cell. '

Researcher Ma Dawei, of the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, who participated in the development of the new drug, stressed: 'When this protein is disabled, the virus will be blocked and cannot be invaded. enter the cell '.

Recent test results showed that Nifeviroc has a promising antiviral effect and has fewer side effects than similar drugs available on the market. Targetdrug said the new drug would be cheaper than drugs produced in Western countries.

With the high efficiency and low cost of Nifeviroc, Chinese experts believe that the new drug will become an effective tool in HIV / AIDS prevention.

So far, Targetdrug has patented Nifeviroc in 14 countries and regions, including the US, Japan and the European Union. However, experts say it takes 3 to 5 years for the drug to be put into clinical use.

By the end of last year, China had 191,565 HIV infections, 47,713 AIDS patients and 13,632 deaths.

Minh Quang

According to AFP, People's Daily Online, Shanghai Daily